The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Completion Program (BSRT-Bridge) is a degree advancement program which provides the practicing AS or AAS prepared Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) an education that is relevant and professionally sound to meet the respiratory therapy needs of the healthcare community. The respiratory therapist works with all members of the health care team in identifying and solving problems of respiratory disease and disorders of the cardiopulmonary system. The curriculum includes biological and physical sciences basic to understanding the functioning of the human breathing system, such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology, and physics and is designed to advance the knowledge of credentialed respiratory therapists focusing on specialty areas in Respiratory Therapy, as well as research, education, and management.
Curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
Completion/AS to BS Bridge Program
Core IMPACTS (Credit: 42 hours)
It is recommended that students pursuing a Respiratory Therapy Entry Level degree follow these recommendations for optimal progression of degree completion. Failure to follow these recommendations will result in having to take additional coursework outside of Core IMPACTS requirements to meet the requirements for the major.
Technology, Math, & Science (Lab Science):
Any permitted course may be used to satisfy the Technology, Math, & Science Option Core IMPACTS requirement. It is suggested that students pursuing a respiratory therapy entry level degree complete one of the following lab science sequences: BIOL 1001-1002 (Introductory Biology I and II and Lab), BIOL 2107-2108 (Principles of Biology I and II and Lab), CHEM 1151-1152 (Survey of Chemistry I and II and Lab), CHEM 1211-1212 (Principles of Chemistry I and II and Lab), PHYS 1111-1112 (Introductory Physics I and II and Lab), or PHYS 2211-2212 (Principles of Physics I and II and Lab) in this area. Not completing the recommended course sequence may require additional credit hour accrual.
Social Science:
Any permitted course may be used to satisfy the Social Science Core IMPACTS requirement. It is suggested that students pursuing a respiratory therapy entry level degree complete one of these courses: ECON 2105, ECON 2106, PSYC 1101, SOCI 1101, SOCI 1160 in this area. This is a preferred course and will have no bearing on the completion of the degree.
See listing of requirements for Core IMPACTS
Field of Study (Credit: 18 hours)
Required Courses (Credit: 15 hours)
*If PSYC 1101 is satisfied in Core IMPACTS, students must complete an elective from the below list of guided electives that has not already been taken.
Guided Elective (Credit: 3 hours)
*Note: If any of the below courses satisfied a requirement in Core IMPACTS, students must complete another course from the below list that has not already been taken.
Credit by Validation (Credit: 21 hours)
Credit by validation (CV) is given for the following Respiratory Therapy courses based on the RRT credential and awarded through Prior Learning Credit (PLA) application.
Upper-Division Classes (Credit: 39 hours)
Credit by validation (CV) is given for the following Respiratory Therapy courses based on the earned additional specialty credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
- Adult Critical Care Specialist (RRT-ACCS) credential - RESP 3050 Advanced Adult Critical Care
- Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (RRT-NPS) credential- RESP 3040 Advanced Neonatal Pediatrics
- Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) credential- RESP 4060 Pulmonary Functions